VariCAD 2007 1.02 review

VariCAD is a 3D/2D CAD solution for mechanical engineering

License: Shareware File size: 23574K Developer: VariCAD

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VariCAD is a 3D/2D CAD solution for mechanical engineering. VariCAD is compact, fast, easy to use, and provides everything one needs for mechanical design. High performance, powerful tools and ease of use make VariCAD a great investment. The system is sold "fully loaded", including all features and functions, for one very affordable price. No other product of its kind can offer such a superb value.

In addition to powerful tools for 3D modeling and 2D drafting and dimensioning, VariCAD provides libraries of standard mechanical parts (ANSI, DIN), calculations of standard mechanical components, and tools for working with bills of materials (BOM) and title blocks. The comprehensive package enables designers to quickly create, evaluate, and modify their models.

The following Linux distributions are currently supported: Debian 3.1, Fedora Core 2, Fedora Core 3, RedHat Enterprise 3.0, Mandrake 10.0, 10.1, SUSE 9.2, 9.1, 9.0.

Here are some key features of "VariCAD":
2D Drawing and Editing

Drawing functions are geared toward easy use in engineering. Some handy features of 2D drawing include: an intelligent cursor that automatically detects objects and snap points, numerous snap modes, flexible item selectability, auxiliary construction lines, ortho mode, rectangular grid, drawing layers (up to 250), block creation, hatching with automatic border detection, advanced dimensioning, surface texture symbols, welding symbols, tolerance symbols, and more. Dimensions can be in millimeters or inches.

3D - 2D Export

3D models are easily converted into 2D drawings to produce conventional drafting documentation. You can create 2D views of one or more selected solids by defining the views in 3D. In addition, you can also export specified sections.

3D Modeling

VariCAD provides a library of basic 3D solids (prism, cylinder, cone, etc.), which are easily modified by editing the original profile or parameters. Solids can also easily be created by profile rotation, extrusion, or lofting. More complex tools include rotation blending between two profiles, lofting between a circle and rectangle, and creation of helical surfaces.

Solids can be added or subtracted, thus forming Boolean trees representing real mechanical parts. Boolean operations have options for automatic trimming, or automatic removal of subtracted volumes. Predefined operations like hole drilling, face milling, groove milling and edge beveling/filleting are also available. Boolean trees are very easy to edit. Solid groups can be defined as well, making selection and visibility changes simple for multiple objects.

Calculations

VariCAD can calculate 2D section area, surface area, volume, mass, center of gravity, and moment of gyration. A library of mechanical calculations is also included, for standard parts used every day by mechanical designers. These mechanical parts include tension and compression springs, pre-stressed bolted connections, pins and parallel keys, grooved shafts, bearings, beams under combined stress (bending and torsion), spur and bevel gearing geometry, and belt drives.

Mechanical Part and Symbol Libraries

VariCAD contains libraries of standard mechanical parts (ANSI, DIN), such as bolts, nuts, pins, plugs, cotters, gaskets, bearings, rolled and drawn shapes, and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electronic symbols. You can add items to these libraries or modify existing parts - all 2D and most 3D dimensions can be edited.

Non-graphical information can also be assigned to parts, such as type of material or supplier. This information is incorporated into an assembly and can be used for material requisitions, bills of materials (BOM), title blocks, or other purposes.

BOM and Title Blocks

VariCAD provides tools for maintaining drawing databases, which represent the data structure of the product. Databases can be created manually (using data extraction from the assembly), or by loading a file. There are constraints between data in part and assembly drawing title blocks and the assembly database. You can build a bill of material (BOM) from the database, then easily modify the database using commands like mass attribute changes, sorting of information, etc.

The data structure of the product (BOM) can be exported into other systems or into a spreadsheet. Automatic BOM and title block creation is another one of VariCAD's useful tools. A mask is used for customization; if you create masks for BOM and title blocks, you can use them until a change is necessary. VariCAD provides default masks which can be adjusted to suit your needs.

Compatibility

VariCAD can interchange files with other CAD systems. You can import STEP (3D), DWG (2D), DXF (2D) and IGES (2D) files, and export STEP (3D), DWG (2D), DXF (2D) and IGES (2D and 3D). The files can be converted individually or in batch routines, thereby converting multiple files in one step. (STEP files support is currently available in the Windows version only.)

Printing and Plotting

Printing within VariCAD is highly customizable. You can use Windows or KDE Linux printer drivers, or VariCAD built-in drivers. Postscript printing is also available.

Summary

VariCAD is a total CAD solution for mechanical engineering. It is compact, fast, easy to use, and contains everything you need for mechanical engineering design. The high performance and powerful tools of our fully loaded package make VariCAD a superb investment. And at our price, no other product is a better value.

Requirements:
XFree86 4.1 or later, Qt 2.3 or later
KDE libraries according to Linux distribution
libraries OpenGL - MesaGL 3.4, or better 4.0
XServer supporting OpenGL (extension GLX).
Pentium II
256MB RAM, HDD 30MB
16MB graphic card with hardware support of OpenGL graphics (recommended graphics cards with chips nVidia GeForce 4 and higher, with manufacturers' drivers, available for download from their websites)

Limitations:
Fully functional 30-day Trial

What's New in This Release:
This new version of VariCAD contains rebuilt 3D kernel, which brings significant improvements - especially in filleting 3D edges and input of 3D STEP files.
Moreover, this release includes many other minor improvements.